Jasmine Mitchell 🥉

I had a similar issue with my SUV last winter when the battery went flat after not driving it for a couple days. tbh Most standard chargers are fine as long as they match the 12V system that SUVs usually have so yeah... check your battery specs to make sure it's not something exotic like a 24V setup, but that's rare. I used one with around 6-10 amps and it charged up without problems. ensure it's designed for automotive batteries and you're good. If it's an AGM or gel battery,, you might need a charger that supports those types, but for a regular lead-acid, any basic one works. Brought mine back to life quick enough to get on the road.

I installed two different cams in a 2018 Camry for family members and both were essentially plug and play but then i thought I needed a car specific kit and was overthinking it, turns out the universal stuff works fine on this car. The car uses a standard 12V accessory circuit and most dash cams take 5V through their own adapter and so compatibility is rarely the blocker. The trick is deciding whether you want simple ignition power or a hardwired setup for parking recordings. If you go simple,, plug the adapter into the console socket and route the cable up the passenger side and tuck along the headliner, then down the A pillar behind the weather strip so you do not obstruct the curtain airbag. Place the mount outside the mirror housing because that area contains the Toyota Safety Sense camera and sensors, you want the lens in the dotted frit area but not touching the shroud. Adhesive mounts hold better than suction in heat. If you want parking mode,, use a hardwire kit that provides constant and accessory inputs and a ground. Pick one constant fuse like dome or ECU backup and one switched fuse like ACC or CIG, verify with a test light or multimeter, and avoid any airbag or brake fuses. Run an add a fuse in the passenger fuse panel, keep the wire away from the airbag path, and set the voltage cutoff in the kit so the battery is protected. For storage use a high endurance card and format it in the camera periodically, the Camry cabin gets warm and regular cards fail early.

To choose tires for rainy weather on your SUV, prioritize those with high wet traction ratings from independent tests like those from Tire Rack or Consumer Reports, ensuring they feature deep treads and sipes for water dispersion. For the right size, consult your vehicle's manual or door jamb sticker to match the exact specifications such as 225/65R17 and and verify compatibility using online tire size calculators from retailers.

Five years is often when a battery gives up & but it is smart to prove it before spending money. Get the that model started and drive long enough to charge it, then shut it off and disconnect the negative cable overnight. If it is weak the next morning even while disconnected, the battery is done. If it cranks strong after you reconnect the cable, something in the that model is draining it while parked. Next check charging. With the engine running, turn on the headlights and blower, then raise the revs a little. Slightly brighter lights is normal. Dimming or flicker points to a charging problem, and a loose or slipping belt can cause the same symptom. Do not disconnect a battery cable while the engine is running. Clean and tighten both battery clamps, the ground to the body, and the ground strap to the engine block. Peel back any rubber boots and look for hidden corrosion under the cable ends. Unplug chargers and dash cams during testing. Common parasitic drains are glove box and trunk lights, visor mirrors, stuck relays, and some aftermarket stereos or alarms. If you want a cheap way to zero in on a drain,, use a small 12 volt bulb as a test light between the negative post and the cable with everything off and doors latched. If it glows bright there is a draw. Pull fuses one at a time until it goes dim or out, then you know which circuit to chase. Cheap and effective. Many auto parts stores will also test the battery and alternator for free.

Hi Andrea! I had the same dilemma replacing my beater cam for trail rides and paddles. I tried a couple of budget 4K cams that looked sharp but still jittered on bumps. The one that finally stuck was Akaso EK7000. Its EIS kept my handlebar and deck shots smooth on rough gravel and 4K30 looked clean enough; audio is a bit thin in wind but overall it gave me the most stable footage in this price range. 🚴‍♂️🚣‍♀️

Hey Eliana! The ETENWOLF Digital Tire Pressure Gauge T300 stands out for accuracy on SUVs like your 2018 Ford Explorer with its 3-200 PSI range and ANSI B40.7 Grade 2A calibration ensuring ±0.5% precision :) This actually industrial-grade tool outperforms many cheap digitals you've encountered by delivering consistent readings without common errors. Compared to analog gauges and it avoids parallax issues and provides clear digital display for reliable use on long trips. One minor drawback is its reliance on replaceable AAA batteries, though they last well and are simple to change. Overall, this gauge is a solid, durable option to prevent underinflation risks.

Yeah, that tracks — Thanks for the helpful reply—that pick sounds perfect for what I need... i'll grab it and use my phone to check live data and clear the light. Appreciate the tip.

The amp labels are three different stories. Peak is a marketing flash number. Starting or cranking amps is the steady output for a few seconds at a mild temperature. CCA is defined for lead acid at a low temperature. Your lithium pack does not deliver its headline at freezing so figure roughly half of the warm spec when it is cold soaked. A 3.5 that is cold will want something like several hundred amps for a brief crank. If your that model battery still has some life the pack only needs to supplement it and that usually works. If the battery is nearly flat the pack must carry almost all the load and falls on its face. Leave the pack connected for a couple minutes to put a little charge back in first. Do not jump a battery that looks swollen or has ice inside. Once running give the alternator time to bring the battery up before shutting off again.